Before You Go
Travel is not quite as simple as packing a bag and ticking off the three essentials - tickets, money, and passport. Some people love planning their trips down to the minutest detail, but for others the choices and preparation required can be overwhelming. If you've just booked a cheap flight to Kenya in the hope of doing a spot of sand surfing or booked a last-minute romantic jaunt to Paris, here's a check list of things to do before you jump on the plane. Some planning ahead can save you a lot of hassle and ensure you enjoy your trip.
Tickets
Ensure you have your booking reference at the very least. Print out (or have on your iPhone or smartphone) all the documents your airline might need to see.
Money
It's a good idea to have a small amount of cash to cover incidentals. Ensure your bank card is usuable in your destination and your credit card is one that won't whack on too many extra charges.
Depending on where you are travelling, it might pay to carry some US dollars - an almost universal currency.
Passports
Don't start looking for your passport the night before your flight. If you're travelling to stamp-happy countries, ensure you have enough blank pages in your passport. Generally, make sure your passport doesn't expire within six months of your return date. Some countries will not let you in if your passport doesn't have at least half-a-year to go on it.
Visas
Check whether you will need a visa to enter the countries you are travelling to. Australians generally don't need a visa to enter the UK, the EU or the US if they are planning to stay for less than three months.
Be warned, visa applications can take weeks or months to process, depending on the destination, and you may need to send in your passport as well. Check visa requirements at least eight weeks before travel but if you are getting visas early, check that they cover the duration of your trip as some apply from the date of issue.
Some states in Europe are party to the Schengen Convention (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) and some aren't (UK, Ireland, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine). Make sure you get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area as omissions may catch up with you later on in your travels and there may be a fine to pay.
Insurance
It can be tempting not to take out travel insurance and spend the money on your holiday instead, especially if you're only having a week-long break in Bali. What could really go wrong? It's better not to find out, especially when you can get insurance at reasonable rates. Some credit cards offer free travel insurance if you charge all or some of your trip on the card, but there are conditions so read the fine print.
Documents
Make two copies of passports and all important documents (include pictures on your iPhone) and carry one set with you (in a separate place to the originals, just in case they get stolen) and leave the other papers at home with somebody in case of an emergency.
Jabs
Ouch. We all hate them. But, a little discomfort and embarrassment is far better than catching rabies or some other nasty disease.
See your doctor or travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure to check which, if any, vaccinations you might need for the part of the world you are travelling to. You may also need a booster shot of childhood vaccinations. Some are merely advisable, but proof of immunisation against certain diseases is a requirement of entry for some countries. For further information, check www.smarttraveller.gov.au. The World Health Organisation's annually-updated International Health and Travel publication is also available online at www.who.int.
Accommodation
It might be bold and adventurous to arrive in a country with just your backpack and no idea where you will end up staying that night. But, it's probably wiser to make arrangements for the first night at least. If your flight gets in late at night, walking around a foreign city in the dark looking for somewhere to stay can quickly become a drag, especially if your arrival coincides with a big event or conference and there are few or no vacancies.
Luggage
Pack appropriately for destination and the type of travel you are doing. Hardened backpackers will still need a smart outfit for the opera in Milan and you can leave the evening gown and stilettos at home if you're heading to a laid-back beach in Thailand. Dress sensibly and be culturally sensitive when visiting Islamic or conservative countries. A sarong for the beach can double up as a shawl when visiting religious sites, while a few accessories can help smarten up an outfit without taking up much space.
Most of us have to carry our own bags, so travel as light as you can, sticking to comfortable clothing and shoes.
If you're backpacking, follow the time-honoured advice: pack your bag, then take everything out, cull the clothes by half and repack. And don't forget the wet wipes and emergency toilet paper.
Be careful when buying duty-free alcohol, perfumes or cosmetics, as you may have to surrender them at your next stop. Some direct flights from the US or New Zealand allow you to carry-on duty free liquids once you pass through the security screening point but often transit passengers can get caught out at the next airport or even within Australian airports. Check with your travel agent or airline in advance.
Smart Traveller
The Australian Government has a comprehensive travel advisory website for Australians travelling overseas. Wherever you are going, make www.smarttraveller.gov.au your first port of call.
Updated January 2012